Carolyn Alexander Caldwell

Carolyn Alexander Caldwell, longtime resident of West University Place, Texas, passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at the age of 89, surrounded by loving family and caregivers.

Born in Colorado City, Texas on February 6, 1936, Carolyn was the third of four children born to Fannie Mae and Jesse Lee Alexander. She and her siblings were raised near the oil fields of West Texas and later, in the rapidly changing city of Houston, when Jesse moved up from field work to the corporate office of Standard Oil.

An alumna of Lamar High School, Rice University and The University of Houston, Carolyn carried her love of learning into all aspects of her life, including her many years as an elementary school teacher. She also worked in administrative positions in the Houston Medical Center and at NASA, and later in life, as a realtor. And while she loved each of her careers, her most valued role was that of daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.

In 1963, Carolyn met Thomas Caldwell at Houston's Towering Texans Club, and they were soon engaged at the Hermann Park reflecting pool. With Tom, her husband of 55 years, by her side, and Natalye and Patrick in tow, Carolyn built a life marked by grace, kindness, and strength. She became a skilled renovator of each of their family homes and several rental properties. Carolyn never met a trade she couldn't master for weekend projects, and was determined to "do it herself!", all the while holding a full time job, tending her vegetable garden, cooking, organizing family camping trips and road trips, and tolerating Tom's corruption of the children with Mad Magazine and Tom Lehrer songs.

When grandchildren John, Claudia, Mark and Julia were born, Carolyn truly came into her own. Purveyor of endless arts and crafts projects and adventures that left her house turned upside down, she was also beach queen, sitting for hours in the waves at Galveston with little ones on her lap, and chief fan at every sports game, dance and piano recital. Grandmom/Grandmana especially loved spoiling them with favorite foods - daily cinnamon toast after school, favorite candies stashed in her purse for the movies, and famous chocolate birthday cakes. Once, notoriously, she even refused to get badly needed head stitches after a fall until she could finish making pancakes - breakfast comes first!

Carolyn was also a devoted member of St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, joining the building committee, enjoying many church activities, and nurturing the faith and friendships that sustained her through the years. Other interests included the West University Garden Club, Sea Isle Planters Bunch in Galveston, and along with her sister Frances, the Nacogdoches Chapter DAR. Traveling, from geophysical conventions with Tom to visiting Pat's family in California and summer trips to Europe, always meant new ideas for home projects and inspiration for creating her backyard "Garden of Eden", a source of peace and beauty for the entire family.

Following Tom's death in 2019, Carolyn continued living a full life, particularly enjoying family outings and weekly gatherings with four generations at the table. Sunday dinners became a tradition loved by all, especially when neighbor Susan brought homemade treats. Her later days were enriched by the kindness of cherished caregivers Lucy, Lisa, Jes, Shana, Leah, Eucharia, Geraldine, and many others through the years, and by the skilled and compassionate teams at The University of Texas Center for Healthy Aging and Houston Hospice.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Tom, brother Jesse Lee Alexander Jr. and wife Merle, and sister Nancy Fagley, Carolyn is survived by sister Frances Thomasson, daughter Natalye Appel and husband John Casbarian, son Patrick Appel and wife Sondra, nieces and nephews Claire Ginesi, Mark Fagley, Georgia Carmichael and Alex Thomasson and their families. Her legacy shines on in her beloved grandchildren and partners - John and Shelley Appel, Claudia Casbarian and Victor Benavides, Mark Appel and girlfriend Rachel Dowd, Julia Casbarian and Nicolas Damiani - and great granddaughters Olive Benavides and Lily Appel, who brought her endless joy.

Carolyn will be remembered by all for her steadfast love of family, her deep faith, and her gentle presence that enriched every life she touched. A Celebration of Life will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday November 13 at Bradshaw Carter Funeral Home, 1734 West Alabama St. in Houston, Texas, beginning with visitation and followed by a service and reception. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Star of Hope, The Women's Home, Camp for All, UT Health Houston Institute on Aging or Houston Hospice